An exploratory study on minimizing travel-related risks among young Japanese travelling overseas

2017 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K13310
• Research Institution: Wakayama University
• Principal Investigator: 永井 隼人 和歌山大学, 観光学部, 講師 (80784280)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 旅行者 / 観光リスクマネジメント / ユース・トラベル

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Although many Japanese youths travel overseas independently for extended periods, their travel experiences have not been sufficiently researched in the tourism literature. Therefore, this project aims to extend our knowledge in this research area. In particular, it focuses on working holiday programmes as an example of a contributor to this segment. The project also aims to explore Japanese youths’ overseas experiences as well as identify hazards that they have experienced to create a better understanding of this segment and propose strategies for minimising the identified travel-related risks. In FY2017, the first year of a three-year project, the researcher conducted an extensive review of literature on related topics and held discussions with research collaborators and experts in the field to gain a further understanding of the segment and refine the research focus. Interviews and discussions with tourism stakeholders in both Japan and Australia were also conducted to familiarise the researcher with the research context. In addition, the researcher began conducting in-depth interviews with young people who had participated in the working holiday programme between Japan and South Korea to develop a comprehensive understanding of the youth market.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

The research project has been carried out without serious obstacles. The geographical focus of the project was expanded from the original plan after an extensive review of the relevant literature. This expansion is expected to strengthen the research. In addition, the researcher extended both his academic and industry network during FY2017, which helped him refine the study’s focus, may provide access to relevant information and is expected to enhance the project’s progress for the remainder of the research period.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

In FY2018, the researcher will continue to conduct interviews with participants of the working holiday programme between Japan and South Korea. The researcher will then attempt to collect qualitative data from working holiday programme participants in other locations, such as Australia. After completion of the qualitative data collection, the researcher will analyse the collected data and refine the study’s conceptual framework, which will provide a foundation, together with the literature review results, for developing a questionnaire. The arrangements for quantitative data collection, including questionnaire development and sampling method selection, are expected to be completed in late FY2018. In addition, the findings from the early part of the research project are expected to be presented at relevant academic conferences to disseminate the findings and receive feedback from the academic community during FY2018.

Causes of Carryover

Some of the allocated funds for FY2017 were not used, and they were brought forward to the next fiscal year. This occurred for several reasons, including that an overseas field research trip cost less than initially estimated, and the researcher was not able to attend a conference due to his unexpected unavailability. In addition, costs for purchasing relevant academic publications were lower than estimated. The allocated funds for FY2018, together with the remainder of the FY2017 funds, will be used for supplemental field research, costs related to data collection and analysis, and other activities to disseminate the study findings and enhance the research project.